Hello Everyone!

sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
So I'm settled into my new home. Thought I'd stop by and say Hi to everyone! :). I also wanted to note that although I've been away from the hobby for ONLY a month, it feels like it has been AGES! I'm tempted to purchase a small tank (20 gallon) to have some small fish in there and maybe some coral. I have a question for everyone though. I started out with this hobby with a 150 gallon tank so I don't know all the benefits and take aways from not having a large tank now.
However, I do know that water quality can jump around within a matter of hours/days. I know having the fish I used to have won't be possible in the new tank, but that won't pose any problems.
What does everyone think?
Glad to be back! :)
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
Welcome back! You could definitely do something cool with a 20 gallon... maybe a nano reef... or a species tank or something.
 
sparty059

sparty059

Active Member
People that have worked with both would you say it's hard to keep up and maintain a smaller tank? Is it easier to set up automatic top-offs? I go out of town often so I'm looking for something that would be easier to keep up and maintain than a 150 gallon. Think it's any easier?
Thank you all for the welcome back :).
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I've had tanks that have ranged from 20g to 240g. I like smaller tanks, they are less hassle for me. I have a build thread on here that you can probably read about and get some ideas from. https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/387674/snake-s-20g-nano-build-thread
Top off are pretty easy. I run an algae scrubber, so I do daily top offs. I plan on an SPS dominated reef, so my system is getting pretty complex over time. One thing that I have discovered is that you have to allow yourself to have more room next to your tank then you would with any other tank. If you have a 10g sump underneath, there is pretty much no room to put external equipment. I am going to build a small wooden box next to my aquarium to house all of my electrical equipment, ... powerstrips, UPS, maybe a neptune systems controller/monitor. On top of the box, I'm putting a 5g container for auto top offs of Kalkwasser mix.
A large saltwater aquarium can be just as complex as a small saltwater aquarium. It just depends on what your goals are for the tank. I prefer a 20 high before I do a 20 long. But that's just me!
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
Smaller tanks are more susceptible to unexpected spikes but they are easier to fine-tune. Larger tanks are easier to maintain IMO because you don't have to tend to them as often.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
When a problem does happen in a large aquarium, it's harder to change out 120g of water at a time then it is for a smaller tank changing out 5 to 10 gallons at a time.
Small tanks do have their own set of problems. The main one being temp regulation and maintaining a constant salinity. In small reef tanks, maintain a lower salinity of 1.023 and that way if you forget to top off, it will only be at 1.026 or so. More room for error, basically. If you put it on an auto top off, don't forget to keep adding water to your freshwater resevoir! The other thing to look out for is a build up of nitrates and phosphates. The smaller the water volume, the more likely these levels will increase faster. Unless you have an awesome filter or a combination of filters that can handle the bioload, water changes will be necessary.
If you feed the same, do maintenance the same, and stay diligent, a small tank can be just as rewarding to keep as a large tank.
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
one of my lfs has a 5 gallon cube reef.a tiny clown,goby and a couple other fish like 1/2 inch in size.some lr and tiny corals .it amazes me every time i see it.almost looks like a cartoon to me everything is so small but the tank looks awesome to say the least.i have always had bigger tanks and i dont think even with all the years i have been at this i would try a little cube like that.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Heh, when I get the money... in 20 years... I'll build my house around my aquarium. lol. Just like you, I think.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Glad your back! Smallest tank I ever had was the 30g long. I really like that size tank, it's super easy to keep up. Not too small and not too big. With you going out of town an ATO is an absolute must have. A sump with a refugium will help by breeding copepods and amphipods for the fish to eat as well.
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
Sorry to get off topic, but KC, I see that you are another member from PA because you uploaded your location! So you are around 2 hrs. 20 mins. away from me and 2 hrs. 20 mins away from Shawn (Acrylic51).
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
when i live in buffalo we drove through penn. to go to the sis in laws in ohio.man it seems to take forever to drive though that state.very pretty landscape through that state has .some big trees there.now in texas penn.didnt seem that bad to drive through.
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by deejeff442 http:///t/387905/hello-everyone#post_3417195
when i live in buffalo we drove through penn. to go to the sis in laws in ohio.man it seems to take forever to drive though that state.very pretty landscape through that state has .some big trees there.now in texas penn.didnt seem that bad to drive through.
Thank you for the compliment (I guess LOL) on the state. I am very proud of where I live. I am on the border of city and countryside. It's wonderful.
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
i live out in the country.no trains,plains nothin.its awesome.my house is 500 feet from the road and cant hear a car at all when it goes by.we just bought 5 acres across the steet.going to buy the 5 next to it next spring.cant beat country living.
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by deejeff442 http:///t/387905/hello-everyone#post_3417200
i live out in the country.no trains,plains nothin.its awesome.my house is 500 feet from the road and cant hear a car at all when it goes by.we just bought 5 acres across the steet.going to buy the 5 next to it next spring.cant beat country living.
That's very nice....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top